Finding a small stainless steel refrigerator with an ice maker can be tricky: compact models often have no built-in ice maker, while many countertop ice makers are separate appliances rather than refrigerators. Of the options below, the Kenmore is the only refrigerator listed with a factory-installed ice maker. The other choices may work as a compact fridge or a separate source of ice, but they do not offer the same all-in-one setup. Use the comparison and buying guide to decide which trade-off fits your space.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Capacity / Ice | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SenCre Countertop Ice Maker | Standalone ice maker | Up to 26.5 lb of ice per day; two ice sizes | Adding ice beside a fridge you already own |
| Sharp 11.5 cu. ft. Counter-Depth Refrigerator | Compact refrigerator with bottom freezer | 11.5 cu. ft.; no listed ice maker | People who want a narrow fridge and freezer |
| Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker | Standalone ice maker | Up to 26 lb of ice per day; two ice sizes | Countertop ice production in a small space |
| Kenmore 17.5 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator | Counter-depth refrigerator with freezer | 17.5 cu. ft.; factory-installed ice maker | A built-in ice maker in a counter-depth design |
| Frigidaire 7.5 cu. ft. Apartment Refrigerator | Apartment-size refrigerator with freezer | 7.5 cu. ft.; no listed ice maker | Basic food storage for an apartment or office |
Our Picks: Best Small Stainless Steel Refrigerator With Ice Maker reviews
SenCre Countertop Ice Maker: A Compact Add-On for Fast Ice
This SenCre is a standalone countertop ice maker, not a refrigerator. It can be a useful partner to a small fridge that lacks an ice maker, but it will need its own counter space and does not keep finished ice frozen.
The machine is listed to make nine bullet-shaped cubes in about six minutes and up to 26.5 pounds of ice per day. You can select small or large cubes, and the 1.5-liter water tank and 1.32-pound basket reduce the need for constant refills and emptying. A one-touch cleaning function is included.
Its compact, portable form may suit a small kitchen, office, or other space where you need extra ice without installing a refrigerator with a built-in ice maker. In everyday use, owners often value the quick batches and simple controls. The key limitation is important: the ice maker has no refrigeration function, so ice left in the basket can melt. Transfer ice to a freezer or use it soon after it is made.
Pros:
- Makes a batch of nine cubes in about six minutes, according to the listing
- Offers two ice sizes
- Has a self-cleaning function
- Includes a water tank, ice basket, and scoop
Cons:
- It is not a refrigerator and does not keep ice frozen
- Requires separate counter space and regular cleaning
Verdict: Choose the SenCre if you already have a compact refrigerator and want a separate, fast countertop source of ice; skip it if you need a single appliance with food storage and built-in ice-making.
Sharp 11.5 cu. ft. Refrigerator: A Narrow Fridge with a Bottom Freezer
The Sharp is a compact, two-door refrigerator with a bottom freezer and stainless steel finish. At 23.6 inches wide and 72.8 inches tall, it has a narrow footprint, though its listed depth is 27 inches. Its total capacity is 11.5 cubic feet, including a 4.2-cubic-foot freezer.
Features include multi-airflow cooling, a removable wine rack, a fresh-converter drawer, and a vacation mode that turns off the refrigerator cavity while leaving the freezer on. The design may suit shoppers who want more food storage than a mini fridge provides but still need a relatively narrow appliance.
An ice maker is not listed, so this is not a direct match for shoppers who require built-in ice. Some owners find the tall, narrow shape practical, while others may want more interior room. Compared with the Kenmore, it has less total capacity and no stated ice maker; compared with the smaller Frigidaire apartment fridge, it offers more storage and a bottom-freezer layout.
Pros:
- 11.5 cubic feet of total capacity with a separate bottom freezer
- Narrow 23.6-inch listed width
- Includes a convertible fresh-food drawer and removable wine rack
- Vacation mode can turn off the refrigerator cavity while keeping the freezer on
Cons:
- No ice maker is listed
- The 27-inch listed depth may be too much for some tight spaces
Verdict: The Sharp is worth considering if a narrow, stainless steel refrigerator matters more than built-in ice; plan on a separate ice maker if you want ice on demand.
Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker: Stainless-Style Ice Production for the Counter
This Frigidaire is a portable ice maker with a black stainless steel appearance, rather than a refrigerator. Its listed dimensions are 15 inches deep, 11 inches wide, and 14.5 inches high, making it a separate countertop appliance that can supplement a compact fridge.
It is listed to produce up to 26 pounds of ice per day, with nine bullet-shaped cubes per batch in about seven minutes. The machine offers two cube sizes, a 2.1-quart water tank, a digital control panel, and a transparent window. Its basket holds up to 1.5 pounds of ice, and a drain plug helps with emptying and cleaning.
Owners often appreciate its straightforward setup and quick batches. Like the SenCre, though, this machine does not replace a refrigerator or freezer: ice in the basket can melt if it is not moved to a freezer or used promptly. Its listed batch time is a little longer than the SenCre’s, while its tank is larger by the supplied specifications.
Pros:
- Produces up to 26 pounds of ice per day, according to the listing
- Two ice sizes and a digital control panel
- Transparent window makes it easy to check the ice level
- Drain plug and included scoop support easier cleanup and serving
Cons:
- It is a standalone ice maker, not a refrigerator
- The basket holds only 1.5 pounds at a time, and the ice is not kept frozen
Verdict: Pick the Frigidaire for portable countertop ice-making with a black stainless steel look, but pair it with a separate fridge and freezer for food storage and keeping extra ice frozen.
Kenmore 17.5 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator: The Built-In Ice Maker Pick
The Kenmore is the clearest match here if a refrigerator with an included ice maker is your main requirement. It combines a French door refrigerator with a bottom freezer and a factory-installed ice maker. Its 17.5-cubic-foot capacity is larger than the apartment-size options in this list, so check your available space before choosing it.
The product is described as a 30-inch-wide, counter-depth model with a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish. It has six gallon-size door bins, adjustable glass shelves, LED lighting, and a two-tier freezer drawer. An inverter compressor and ENERGY STAR certification are also listed.
This model is better suited to a kitchen that can accommodate a full-height refrigerator than a dorm room or very small kitchenette. It has more storage and a built-in ice maker, but it is not as compact as the Sharp or the 7.5-cubic-foot Frigidaire. The supplied dimensions are about 29.88 inches wide, 31.77 inches deep, and 70.3 inches tall, so measure the full installation area and access path before ordering.
Pros:
- Factory-installed ice maker
- 17.5 cubic feet of storage in a counter-depth design
- Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish
- Gallon-size door bins, adjustable shelves, and a two-tier freezer drawer
Cons:
- Larger than a typical apartment-size or dorm refrigerator
- Its listed depth may not fit every shallow cabinet or tight installation area
Verdict: Choose the Kenmore if you want a stainless steel refrigerator with a built-in ice maker and have room for a counter-depth French door model; it is the strongest all-in-one match in this group, but not the smallest.
Frigidaire 7.5 cu. ft. Apartment Refrigerator: A Smaller Food-Storage Option
This Frigidaire is an apartment-size refrigerator and freezer with 7.5 cubic feet of total storage. Its stainless finish, chrome trim, and two-door layout give it a more polished look than a basic mini fridge, while the separate freezer compartment provides space for frozen food.
The interior includes removable glass shelves, a transparent crisper, a full-width door bin, and an adjustable thermostat. The reversible door can help you match the opening direction to your room, and rear castors and adjustable front leveling legs support positioning. The product listing describes manual defrost, so expect to handle defrosting as needed.
This model is smaller than the Sharp and Kenmore and may suit an apartment, office, or secondary food-storage area. However, an ice maker is not listed. If ice is essential, you would need a separate countertop ice maker, which also needs room and will not keep its ice frozen.
Pros:
- Apartment-size 7.5-cubic-foot capacity with a separate freezer
- Removable glass shelves and a transparent crisper
- Reversible door for flexible placement
- Castors and leveling legs can help with positioning
Cons:
- No ice maker is listed
- Manual defrost requires more upkeep than a frost-free model
Verdict: Consider this Frigidaire if compact food storage and a separate freezer matter most; it is not the right choice if you expect an ice maker built into the refrigerator.
How to Choose a Small Stainless Steel Refrigerator With an Ice Maker
Decide Whether You Need Built-In or Separate Ice
A built-in ice maker is part of the refrigerator, while a countertop ice maker is a separate appliance. In this selection, the Kenmore is the only refrigerator that lists a factory-installed ice maker. The SenCre and Frigidaire ice makers can add ice-making to a fridge without that feature, but they need their own counter space and do not keep finished ice frozen. Make this distinction before comparing sizes or finishes.
Measure the Full Installation Space
Check the available width, height, and depth, then compare those measurements with the refrigerator’s listed dimensions. Leave room for the door to open and consider how the appliance will fit through doorways and hallways on delivery. “Counter-depth” does not mean every cabinet or walkway will have enough clearance, so measure the actual space rather than relying on the label alone.
Match Capacity to Your Household
The options here range from 7.5 to 17.5 cubic feet for refrigerators. A smaller capacity can work for an office, a secondary fridge, or a limited kitchen, but it leaves less room for groceries and frozen items. If you regularly store larger containers or shop for several days at once, compare the refrigerator and freezer capacities separately instead of looking only at the total.
Check the Freezer and Defrost Setup
Consider how much frozen food you keep and whether you prefer a top-freezer, bottom-freezer, or French door layout. The Sharp has a 4.2-cubic-foot bottom freezer, and the Kenmore has a two-tier freezer drawer. The 7.5-cubic-foot Frigidaire has a separate freezer compartment and a manual defrost system, which means upkeep is part of ownership.
Think About Ice Storage and Daily Use
Countertop ice makers can produce batches quickly, but their baskets have limited capacity and do not act as freezers. If you want to store ice for later, transfer it to a freezer. Also consider the water tank, basket size, cleaning needs, and whether you prefer one of the listed machines’ two bullet-ice sizes.
Compare Organization and Door Placement
Adjustable or removable shelves, door bins, and crispers affect how easily you can arrange groceries. A reversible door may be useful when the fridge sits near a wall or in a narrow room. Before buying, check which features are listed for the specific model and think about how your common items—such as bottles, produce, and frozen meals—will fit.
Choose a Finish That Fits Your Space
“Stainless steel” can describe different finishes and colors. The Kenmore lists a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish, while the Frigidaire portable ice maker is described as black stainless steel and the apartment fridge has a platinum stainless finish. Check the product details and images to make sure the finish suits the other appliances in your room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which option in this list is a refrigerator with a built-in ice maker?
The Kenmore 17.5-cubic-foot French door refrigerator is the only listed refrigerator that specifies a factory-installed ice maker. The two countertop ice makers are separate appliances, and neither of the other refrigerators lists an ice maker.
Is a countertop ice maker the same as a refrigerator ice maker?
No. A countertop ice maker makes ice as a standalone appliance, but it does not provide food storage or keep finished ice frozen. A refrigerator with a built-in ice maker combines food storage and ice production in one appliance.
Which refrigerator listed here has the smallest capacity?
The Frigidaire apartment-size refrigerator has 7.5 cubic feet of capacity. It includes a separate freezer compartment but does not list an ice maker.
Do the countertop ice makers keep ice frozen?
No. The supplied product information says the SenCre has no refrigeration function, and the Frigidaire is also a standalone ice maker rather than a freezer. Move ice to a freezer or use it soon after it is made to reduce melting.
Which refrigerator is best for a narrow kitchen?
The Sharp lists a width of 23.6 inches, making it the narrowest refrigerator in this selection by the supplied dimensions. Measure its listed 27-inch depth and 72.8-inch height against your space, and note that it does not list an ice maker.
Do the listed compact refrigerators all have a separate freezer?
Yes. The Sharp has a bottom freezer, the Kenmore has a freezer drawer, and the 7.5-cubic-foot Frigidaire has a dedicated freezer compartment. Their layouts and capacities differ, so compare the freezer details with your storage needs.
What is the best overall choice for a small fridge with an ice maker?
Among these products, the Kenmore is the best match for shoppers who prioritize a refrigerator with a built-in ice maker. It is not the smallest model, though. If a smaller footprint matters more, the Sharp or apartment-size Frigidaire may fit better, but you will need a separate ice maker for those options.
Final Recommendation
If you want one appliance that combines a stainless steel refrigerator and an ice maker, the Kenmore is the clearest choice from this group. Its 17.5-cubic-foot capacity and counter-depth design make it larger than a typical compact fridge, so measure carefully before buying. For a truly smaller refrigerator, consider the Sharp or Frigidaire apartment model and pair it with a countertop ice maker only if you have space for a second appliance and a freezer to store extra ice.
